Bead molding



o. `.1. cRowE May 18,1943

BEAD MOLDING Filed Nov. 27, '1941 l /NVENTo/e Orleg J. @ron/e. BY Sra TORNE Ys.

Patented May 18, 1943 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFFlcE BEAD MOLDING Orley J'. Crowe, Detroit, Mich. Application November 27, 1941, Serial No. 420,647'

Claims.- (Cl. 20-74) One object of the invention is to provide an improved bead molding of inexpensive construction which is distinctly ornamental and which may be manufactured and applied eillciently.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bead molding which has an outer fabric covering on the order of that employed in preceding years but which is particularly characterize'd by a hard, smooth surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved bead molding which possesses the reinforcing characteristics of metal and the water repellent, ornamental characteristics of treated fabrics employed in bead moldings heretofore.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, from the drawing relating thereto, and from the claims hereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a bead molding constructed according to one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar cross-sectional view illustrating another form of the invention; and

Fig. 3 is also a similar view illustrating another `such as latex so -as to provide tacky surfaces.

This causes the fabricto adhere to the core and causes the leg portions to adhere one to the other. Moreover, the use of the latex renders the fabric repellent to water and, when the leg portion of the bead is disposed between metal surfaces, the' y fabric adheres to such surfaces and also, acts to prevent water from seeping between such surfaces.

A hollow metal bead I4 surrounds the bead por- -tion of the fabric II in substantiallytting relation thereto and the edges of this cover are reversely folded towards the inner side as indicated at I5 and IB. 'I'he metal cover may comprise a low carbon steel, such as plain cold rolled steel. and the metal may be rust-proofed. Rusto proofing may be leffected by electro-galvanizing, which applies a thin coating of zinc to the metal. It might be mentioned here that the metal is sufficiently thin as to permit easily bending the molding to accommodate it to different contours For example, the metal may have a thickness of fifteen or twenty thousandths of an inch, bearing in mind that it is desirable to have it as thin as possible in order to reduce the cost, while still having it suiiiciently thick to resist undesired deformation, denting. etc. In other words, the material should be of such strength that one handling the molding may readily bend it to fit a lparticular contour without causing the metal to wrinkle or the edges to spread apart or the metal to be too easily dented.

At its outer side, the metal bead I4 is covered with fabric I1 and the edgesof this fabric are folded'around the edges I5 and I6 of the metal beadand extend substantially between the metal and the fabric I I, as indicated at I9 and 20. Such reversely folded edges of the fabric I1 may be cemented to the fabric I'I if found desirable, al-

' though normally the metal will be clinched about the bead sufficiently to hold the edges I9 and 20 of the fabric I1 firmly in position. The fabric I1 may comprise a product on the order of imitation leather, such as a fabric coated with pyroxylin, which renders the fabric water repellent, while at the same time giving it a substantially nonporous surface as compared to an ordinary fabric surface.

In manufacturing this structure, the fabric II is drawn tightly about the metal Il and is held thereon in a taut condition. In tightening the fabric about the metal, the latter acts as an ironer and wrinkles are smoothed or ironed out and, as a result," the fabric has a hard, smooth surface appearance and, moreover, 4it is really hard because itis backed up by the relatively hard metal.

In manufacturing this structure, the metal Il may initially be flat and the fabric I'I may be laid over one side ofthe metal and the edges thereof may be folded over the edges of the metal while both elements still are in a nat condition. The burlap I2 may then be laid over the opposite side of the metaland be pressed against the latter so as to cause it to adhere to the folded ,portions I9 and 20 of fabric I1. The core then may be laid at the center of the fabric II and then the metal'and fabric layers may be folded around the core until the assembly is as shown. During this operation, the outer fabric II is necessarily-placed under certain tension, and accordingly it is held in a slightly taut condition, at least sumciently taut so as to provide the hard, smooth surface appearance mentioned. o

The structure shown by Fig. 2 is on the same order as that shown by Fig. 1 with the exception that the metal I4 is provided with non-folded edges 2| and 22.

The structure shown by Fig. 3 is the same as that shown by Fig. 1 with the exception that the edge portions of the fabric I'I, instead of being folded around the edges I5 and I6 of the metal, extend partially .along the leg I2 as indicated at 23 and 24. Such edges may be cemented to the leg I2 and the tacky surfaces of the leg may effect this cementing or additional cement may be used if desired.

Bead molding constructed according to the invention may be employed along joining edges of metal parts of a vehicle body, such as between a fender and the body proper. In this case, the leg of the molding extends downwardly between the metal surfaces, while the bead closes and conceals the break line vbetween the fender and the body. The molding is water repellent and normally the fabric I'l will prevent water entering between such metal surfaces and at the same time it will prevent water from seeping or soaking into the bead. Inasmuch as the fabric I1 is maintained in smooth, unwrinkled condition, and normally will not be dented or deformed d-uring use because of the rigid metal backing,

the hard surface of the fabric will be better preserved and will not crack, at least on account of wrinkling or deformation. Rust-proofing of the metal is desirable to prevent rusting in the event moisture in the air reaches the metal or in the' event the fabric I'l should be damaged so as to allow water to reach the metal. In appearance, the bead seems to be a solid element on the order of a metal rod, colored in accordance with the fabric. If pressed with the finger, it is hard on the order of the metal II and it main- Cil tains this characteristic along with smoothness and form retention indefinitely. It thus has distinct utilitarian and ornamental value.

Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. A bead molding comprising a web strip having a bead along one side edge, a thin metal cover folded laterally about the bead and having its edges spaced with the body of said strip projecting between said edges of the cover, a fabric cover over the metal cover, and means tightly holding the fabric on the'metal cover.

2. A bead molding comprising a web strip having a bead along one side edge, a thin metal cover folded laterally about the bead and having its edges spaced with the body of said strip projecting between said edges of the cover, and a fabric cover over tlie metal cover and having its edges Yreversely folded inwardly about the edges of the metal cover.

3. A bead molding comprising a web strip having a bead along one side edge, a thin metal cover folded laterally about the bead and having its edges spaced with the body of said strip projecting between said edges of the cover, and a fabric cover over the metal cover and having its side edges cemented to the strip.

4. Molding comprising a thin sheet metal strip having its side portions bent laterally to form a hollow member, and a fabric cover over the member and having its side edge portions secured to the edges of such member.

5. Molding comprising a thin sheet metal strip having its side portions bent laterally to form a hollow member, and a fabric cover over the member and having its side edge portions reversely folded about the edges of the member so as to hold the fabric on the latter.

ORLEY J. CROWE. 

